— Grade 3

3rd Grade Curriculum Overview

Reading/Language Arts

Our balanced literacy program offers students a comprehensive approach to reading. Students read and respond to a variety of literary genres such as contemporary fiction, biography, informational articles, fantasy, folk tales, plays, interviews, historical fiction, and narrative poetry. Students will compare and contrast stories and characters, form opinions, reach conclusions, and examine cause and effect relationships based on the material they read. Development of vocabulary and spelling skills are key components of our program.

Students will write with clarity, description, sequence, and organization for a variety of purposes such as poetry, friendly letter, summary, exposition, autobiographical incident, book reports, and journals. Both manuscript and cursive handwriting will be used. Students will participate in all stages of the writing process: prewriting, first draft, independent revision, peer editing, teacher conference, and the final draft. In addition, they will read and share their writing during Author’s Chair.

Math

Texts: Progress in Mathematics by Sadlier-Oxford, Common Core Progress in Mathematics by Sadlier School, and Excel program for maintenance

In math, students will build upon what they already know and further develop skills in the strands of Number Sense, Algebra and Functions, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability, and Mathematical Reasoning. Students will deepen their skill and understanding of addition and subtraction as well as multiplication and division of whole numbers. They will use patterns to help solve problems, and students will commit to memory the multiplication facts (0-12) as well as their inverse relationship to division.

Religion

Texts: Blest Are We and Family Life by RCL Benziger

Each student will grow in his/her personal relationship with God. In religion, the students’ understanding of the Catholic Church will deepen in terms of Doctrine, Scripture, Worship, and Christian Living. Students will experience the Church as a Christian community. Students will explore God’s gift of family, self, and life. Students will understand how making healthy choices in our lives brings us closer to Jesus as we strive to be more like Him.

Science

Text: Science by Harcourt School Publishers

Students will learn and investigate our three main areas of science, which include life science, earth science, and physical science. They will study plant growth, different types of animals, endangered species and extinction, and ecosystems (life science). Students will learn about the solar system and beyond. They will learn about planet Earth and take a look at how the Earth and Moon interact. They will also learn what causes seasons (earth science). Students will study the properties of matter and changes they make. Students will learn about energy, light, and color (physical science). Students will experience the Scientific Method.

Social Studies

Text: California Vistas by Macmillan/McGraw Hill

In social studies, students will describe the major physical landforms of our nation. By using maps and photographs, they will be able to organize information about the people, places, and environment in a spatial context. Students will compare and contrast Native American tribes of California. Students will analyze the relationship between the early settlers and the already established Native Americans. Students will understand how natural resources are used in farming, industry, and transportation. Students will understand and identify our nation’s cherished symbols of liberty and will gain knowledge of our national holidays. Students will learn about the lives of important American heroes such as Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ms. Tracey Gioia Aguilar teaches third grade.

Tracey Gioia Aguilar was born and raised in Miami, Florida. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Fine Arts from the University of Florida, she moved to the west coast to attend California State University, East Bay. There she earned a master’s in Clinical Counseling as well as a Clear California Teaching Credential. Tracey has been teaching at St. Justin School since 2000. Her three children attended St. Justin School and graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School. Two are now in college, majoring in nursing and engineering, and her eldest just earned her B.A. in animation from San Jose State University. Tracey’s interests include drawing, painting, playing the piano, traveling, and cooking.